Chapter 17

                                        

                                              
Published: 5/8/2025
Harry barked at the police dogs. He so wanted to run with them. Trained dogs? Harry had never gotten to interact with dogs like them. He scratched at the window and barked again.
"Hey! Stop that! You're scratching the door! I already got your blood all over the back seat."
Harry looked and indeed there was. He looked back at Malfoy, who was regarding him, confused. Harry should probably stop reacting so much to his words. So, he barked and whined at the dogs as they pulled away.
When he got home, Malfoy again fed him chicken and rice, referencing the vet's paper about good and bad foods. After that, Malfoy went out to the backyard with him and conjured a ball. Harry was trembling in anticipation, all pride be damned. It was a ball!
Malfoy smiled. "You want the ball! You want the ball?" he said in a high-pitched voice.
Harry ran back and forth excitedly and barked. Malfoy threw it hard. Harry watched it soar and took off after it. His legs flew at it, and then he leapt, snatching the ball out of the air before it landed.
"Holy Merlin! You caught it! Come here, boy!" Harry raced back to him and dropped it down. 
He wanted to run. Malfoy obliged him. He threw it twenty times, and Harry didn't miss one. Then he faked-threw the ball a few times, and Harry barked in annoyance. When Malfoy did it again, Harry launched himself into Malfoy's chest, pushing him backward to the ground.
"Woah! Oww!" Malfoy cried, as he landed on his back.
Harry ripped the ball out of his hand and laid down on his chest.
Malfoy sighed as he petted him. "Merlin, you really are channeling Potter, aren't you?"
Harry wagged his tail, dropped the ball and started licking Malfoy's face, 
Malfoy squirmed. "Hey! Hey! Stop!" he complained and shoved Harry off. "Annoying fleabag."
Malfoy went to grab the ball, but Harry got it first. Malfoy stood up and pulled out his wand.
"Wait, I got an idea," Malfoy said and conjured a black squirrel.
A squirrel! Harry dropped the ball and chased it up the tree. He barked furiously, trying to get up at it. Malfoy was laughing at him. The fake squirrel moved around the branches at Malfoy's direction.
After probably a half-hour, Malfoy Vanished it. "Come on, Potter!" he said, and walked into the house. "We can have fun tomorrow." 
Malfoy sat down on the couch to watch the telly. Harry curled up next to him, parting from the running and barking. He rolled over, rubbing his back along Malfoy's leg.
"There's a good boy!" he said, obliging him with scratches.
Harry loved it when he scratched and talked to him. He had stayed, because he needed to recover, and then because it was fun to mess with Malfoy. But it was getting harder and harder to leave. He was going to make it difficult for Malfoy to get over him leaving, and Harry didn't want to hurt Malfoy. He whined as he looked up at Malfoy. The magnanimous prick smiled and rubbed his belly more.
"You're such a good boy!" he praised. "So pretty." 
Harry growled. He wasn't pretty.
"Oh, yes, you are! Such a good boy!" Malfoy said, rubbing his belly and sides more.
Harry loved it. He rubbed his head against Draco's leg and growled playfully. Malfoy continued to pet him. When Malfoy stopped, Harry climbed into his lap for more attention.
"You aren't a lap dog!" Malfoy exclaimed, but resumed petting him as they watched the telly. When it was over, Malfoy lifted him up and kissed his head. 
Harry wiggled in his arms, though he liked it that Draco did that.
"Time for bed, good boy!" he said and plopped him on the bed.
Harry got up and barked, wagging his tail. Malfoy caught Harry by throwing a blanket over him. Malfoy flipped him over by sweeping his legs out from under him. Harry scrambled, clawing aggressively to get free of the blankets. When his paws found air, he wormed his way out to fresh air and zeroed in on Malfoy, who was laughing.
Harry jumped on him, and Malfoy dropped to the bed. Harry licked his face all over in retaliation. 
"Stop! Stop! You win!" he said, through the licks. Harry did and wagged his tail.
Draco let him out to pee, and then Harry ran to the bed. He took up most of it and the covers out of spite. Malfoy sighed and just Summoned a throw blanket off the couch rather than kick him off his blankets.
"Goodnight, Potter. Bloody bastard," he murmured.